Malina criticizes Hollywood, urges greater support for Israel

Josh Malina, co-star of the current ABC series “Scandal”… (Submitted photo )

February 12, 2013|By David A. Schwartz, Staff Writer

Actor Josh Malina told Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County donors and leaders in the Jewish community that a lack of visible Jewish role models in Hollywood might be responsible for many Jewish college students having little or no "feeling for Israel and sometimes their own Jewishness."

Speaking to an audience of more than 600 people during "The Event" at Boca West Country Club, the co-star of the current ABC series "Scandal" and "The West Wing" criticized his fellow Hollywood actors for not embracing Judaism or publicly supporting Israel.

He talked about being on the dais at a Los Angeles Jewish Federation rally for Jerusalem about 10 years ago in which there were very few Jewish celebrities.

"Los Angeles is a town where you cannot shake a lulav without hitting things Jewish," Malina said. "How could they not be at this rally?"

He said he was told, "If it has anything to do with Israel, they won't show up."

"I was appalled," Malina said.

He told the audience that his Jewish identity came from growing up in a Jewish home, attending Yeshiva and making several visits to Israel with family.

Now he and his wife, who converted to become a Conservative Jew, raise their children in a Jewish home and with Jewish values, Malina said.

He doesn't keep issues in the news that affect Israel from his children. And his support for Israel "isn't blind or inflexible," Malina said.

"There are aspects of Israeli society, as there are for any society that could be improved. I think we do our own kids a disservice if we paint everything black and white, right or wrong, us or them."

Malina urged young parents in the audience to talk about the issues pertaining to Israel, support Israel and take their children to visit the Jewish state. He also suggested that they support Israel's fundamental right to exist and get involved.

Malina lauded the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County for supporting Jewish education, sending teenagers to visit Israel through the Birthright program, aiding seniors and families in the Jewish community and supporting Israel.

As part of the evening's program, several members of the Jewish community talked about how the Federation has helped them.

A single mother talked about the Jewish Family Service being a "life saver for me and my kids."

A teacher at the Donna Klein Jewish Academy in West Boca Raton thanked the Federation for financial assistance that allows her and her husband to send their three children to the Jewish day school.

An Ethiopian refugee, who with family members received a university education in Israel, thanked the Federation for its support.

Malina said later that Israel is controversial. In Hollywood, "the instinct is to avoid controversy," he said. "I just think it's a shame."

He said he regularly speaks to Jewish groups around the country. "I did it a lot during 'The West Wing,'" Malina said.

Nadav Alkoby, a junior at Florida Atlantic University who attended the program with other students from the school's Hillel chapter, said it is important to raise awareness. "The words mean so much from him," Alkoby said.

Rabbi Robert Silvers of Congregation B'nai Israel said he was encouraged by Malina's words. "He said acting is what I do and I have to be true to who I am," Silvers said. "We can all stand up for Israel."